FILIPINA tennis ace Alex Eala’s run of phenomenal performances these past few weeks has not gone unnoticed as she barged into the top 1000 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings, landing in the 942nd spot.
The 15-year-old was ranked 1190th last Jan. 25. However, her very first professional championship win in the first leg of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour W15 Manacor last week sent her up 248 places to No. 942.
“It’s a long journey ahead and I will need to keep on working hard!” said Eala on a post on her official Facebook page.
Her massive jump in the rankings came after she pulled off incredible wins in the W15 Manacor competition.
This included a 6-4, 6-1 second-round win over the tournament’s top-seed, Australian Seone Mendez, who is ranked No. 2 in the ITF Singles rankings.
Eala then went on to seize the crown with a 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Spanish rival Yvonne Cavalle Reimers in the title match.
Her title win was so extraordinary that tennis legend Rafael Nadal congratulated the Filipina in a post on Instagram.
“Congratulations @alex.eala for this important moment in your career. We are all very happy for you! Keep up the good work and attitude. #vamos” read Nadal’s post. (JNP)